Assembled orthopedic retractor

Abstract

An orthopedic retractor is provided made of polymer gel shaped to be inserted into an interdigital space, having two complementary parts made of polymer gel, each part having a flat face shaped to be assembled to the flat face of the other part, such that together the two parts form the retractor, the flat faces once assembled forming a junction resistant to shearing forces while remaining separable from each other. Advantages: simplification of manufacturing and packaging methods.

1. An orthopedic retractor shaped to be inserted into an interdigital space of a foot, the retractor comprising two complementary parts made of a polymer gel, each part comprising a concave face adapted to cooperate with an edge of an adjacent toe of the foot, such that the retractor is self-maintained in the interdigital space without an additional securing means, and a polymer gel flat face which is assembled or to be assembled to the polymer gel flat face of the other part, such that together the two parts form the retractor, and such that the polymer gel flat faces once assembled form a polymer gel-to-polymer gel junction resistant to shearing forces while remaining separable from each other; wherein each part comprises the concave face both when the retractor is in a use position inserted into an interdigital space of a foot and when the retractor is in a non-use position not inserted into an interdigital space of a foot. 
     
     
       2. The retractor according to  claim 1 , wherein the two parts are identical or symmetrical in shape and have a same thickness. 
     
     
       3. The retractor according  claim 1 , wherein each part comprises silicone gel. 
     
     
       4. The retractor according to  claim 1 , further comprising an active antibacterial or anti-inflammatory substance or a combination of the two active substances. 
     
     
       5. The retractor according to  claim 1 , wherein each part comprises the concave face both when the retractor is in a use position inserted into an interdigital space of a foot and when the retractor is in a non-use position not inserted into an interdigital space of a foot. 
     
     
       6. A method for manufacturing an orthopedic retractor to be inserted into an interdigital space of a foot, the retractor comprising two parts made of polymer gel, each part comprising a concave face adapted to cooperate with an edge of an adjacent toe of the foot, such that the retractor is self-maintained in the interdigital space without an additional securing means, and a polymer gel flat face, the method comprising providing two open molds, inserting a non-cross-linked polymer gel into each mold, cross-linking the polymer gel in each mold, the molds being formed such that an open face of each mold corresponds to the flat face of each part, removing the parts from the molds and forming the retractor by assembling the parts by placing their respect polymer gel flat faces in contact with each other to form a polymer gel-to-polymer gel junction resistant to shearing forces while the parts remain separable from each other. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the molds are formed by deformation of a plastic material. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the molds are formed by thermoforming of a plastic material. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising cutting a perimeter of each mold such that each mold forms a package for one of the two parts of the retractor , and packaging the parts for marketing by leaving the parts in their respective molds. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising inserting an active antibacterial or anti-inflammatory substance, or a combination of the two active substances, into the non-cross-linked gel. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the molds are identical or symmetrical in shape.